Beginning of Essay
McBain aims to lead the reader into the bleak litter-strewn environment of a crowded American slum with its inherent threat of violence. Two dominating forces, Heat and July, established in the first two words, emerge as double personifications, prostitutes, in t ....

Middle of Essay
.... ‘light that is dizzying’ and ‘shimmer of blue’, all bring with them feelings of intense light, and a harsh, unnatural environment. The inseparable ideas of ‘heat’ and ‘July’ give the piece a secure foundation on which the detail builds. This structural security, reinforced by three other lines also set in isolation, gives McBain’s writing an uncompromising edge, thus complementing his bleak tone. It is only 8:40 am…and it its Sunday. Placed almost midway, offers a structural reminder that much more will follow when the people wake up; that in fact we are experiencing the uncomfor ....